MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SMT. PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)
(a): There are 83 composite jute mills in the country. Out of the total 83
jute mills, 64 jute mills are located in West Bengal, 3 each in Bihar and
U.P., 7 in Andhra Pradesh, 2 each in Assam and Orissa, 1 each in Tripura
and Chhattisgarh. State-wise data about production and export of jute bags
is not readily available and shall be laid on the table of the house in due
course of time. However, the details of production and export of jute bags
during the last three years in the country is as under:
(Quantity in ‘000 M. Tons)
Year Production Export
2009-10 921.6 26.5
2010-11 1076.9 40.6
2011-12 1165.1 81.1
(b) & (c): During the last year, the average price of jute bags has
shown a decline with respect to the previous two years when there was a
substantial increase over earlier years. This trend, however, is in sync
with the Government price for the jute bags procured through the Directorate
General of Supplies & Disposals (DGS&D). The details are as follows:-
(In Rs. / M. Ton)
Year Govt. Price Market Price (Average) (Average)
B. Twill B. Twill A. Twill (used for sugar packing)
2002-03 23760 22635 22085
2003-04 22636 21966 21452
2004-05 24840 23708 23689
2005-06 29832 28385 27599
2006-07 30014 30507 30077
2007-08 28194 27361 27153
2008-09 32108 32441 31362
2009-10 42,332 41,967 42,162
2010-11 53,193 49,119 49,718
2011-12 49,820 48,989 49,195
State participation in supply and distribution of sugar being minimal compared
to that in foodgrains like wheat, paddy/rice, Sugar Sector procures its
requirement of jute bags from the open market where availability of jute bags
has been adequate. The Government, at the time of determining the percentage
of foodgrains and sugar to be packed in jute bags, inter-alia, takes into
account the availability of raw jute and the jute bag making capacity of the
mills along with the projected demand for packaging of the foodgrains & sugar.
Though, there has been an increase in the prices of jute bags over the years
for sugar, it has been generally in sync with the Government price for jute
bags procured for foodgrains.
(d) & (e): Out of 83 composite jute mills, 6 mills are under Government of
India’s Public Sector Undertaking, 1 mill (Tripura) is under State Government,
2 mills (Assam Co-op. & New Central) are in the co-operative sector and 74 are
privately owned mills. As per the decision of Cabinet Committee on Economic
Affairs, out of the six Government jute mills, three are to be modernised.
The process of modernisation has been initiated. The onus of modernisation
of private mills is on their respective owners. However, under the Jute
Technology Mission, subsidy is given to the jute mills/jute units for
modernisation and upgradation. The upper limit of subsidy is Rs. 3.50 crore
per jute mills for the existing units and Rs.4.00 crore for mills at North
Eastern States and for setting up new units. As on 31st March, 2012, a subsidy
of Rs.57.71 crore has been released against investment for modernisation of
Rs.283.06 crore.
